Sampling valve



Nov. 7, 1961 H. E. ROSE SAMPLING VALVE Filed May 17, 1957 o o e o ooo o s o o o o o f o o o o o r o o o o o o o o o 0.o o o o o o o o o o o o o o C o o o o o o O O O O E o o o o o o o o NNN O.omo @000m r o oo ooo o o o fa A o o o o o o o w o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o ooooooooo J o o o J Vrows in one direction and the 3,007,860 SAMPLING VALVE Howard E. Rose, Hudson, Ohio, assigner to Borg-Wamer Corporation, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Filed May 17, 1957, Ser. No. 659,828 Claims. (Cl. 204-193.2)

This invention relates in general to radioactivity of reactor coolants used Vin nuclear Vreactors andin particular to a new and improved valve which will permit the withdrawal and sampling of the reactor coolant from various locations in the reactor for testing of any radioactivity in the coolant.

It is a general object of this invention to provide a new and improved means of withdrawing samples of nuclear coolant from a nuclear reactor, and n particular, to a new and improved sampling valve whereby specimens or samples of the nuclear coolant may easily be withdrawn from the various locations of the coolant in the reactor for testing for radioactivity.

Heretofore when samples of the reactor coolant were desired to determine whether or not any part of the core of the reactor was defective, it was necessary to withdraw such samples from a number of ports located in a number of places about the reactor. By this invention the sampling ports are located in one easily accessible place whereby with the use of a single valve and an indexing mechanism, any particular port may be selected which is in communication with aselected part of the core.

'In general, this invention is accomplished by a disc type valve which cooperates with a valve plate having a plurality of valve ports which, in turn,

are in communication with various locations in the nuclear reactor so that the reactor coolant at these various locations may be communicated to these ports. This disc valve cooperates with a pair of arms which will transport this valve from one selected port to another selected port to selectively sample the coolant. These arms cooperate with an indexing means, operable either manually or automatically, to cause the arms to transport the valve to a selected port from which the operator desires to obtain a sample for testing for radioactivity. This indexing means comprises in general, a pair of rotatable drums, each having valve stop means, representing the number of rows of ports; one drum for the ports or other representing the number of rows of ports in another direction on a valve plate. By selectively positioning the drums, the arms will move the valve in one direction or another, or both, to the selected port from which the sample of radioactive coolant may be withdrawn.

Accordingly, it is a more particular object to provide a single valve which will cooperate with a multiple valve port and by the use of an indexing mechanism this single valve will cooperate with any one of the ports selected so that a sample of coolant from `the reactor may be tested.

Another object of this invention is the provision in a nuclear reactor of simplified form of moving parts in a ultimately positions the valve proper in any one of the ports ofthe valve plate shown in FIG. 1.

Turning now to the drawings, and in particular, FIG. 1 thereof, there is shown a valve plate, indicated in its entirety as 10, having a plurality of ports indicated in their entirety as 11, formed in the valve plate 10, usually in horizontal and vertical rows as shown in the drawing. The number and position and/or rows of these ports will depend upon the number of locations from which the reactor coolant may be sampled. Each of these ports is in Huid communication with these various locations about a nuclear reactor by passageways and/or lines (not shown) so that reactor coolant from these various locations may be withdrawn for testing to determine if any part of the core (not shown) is defective.

In FIG. 2 there is shown a valve proper V which is arranged for cooperation with valve plate 10 previously described. This valve V is arranged for horizontal and vertical movement which movement is accomplished by a pair of arms A 1 and A-2 to which the valve V is connected, These arms cooperate with a pair of indexing drums D 1 and D 2, respectively. Drums D 1 and D Z are rotated by a pair of servo motors S 1 and S-2 to which they are connected for rotation thereby. A pair of bellows B 1 and B-2 are each respectively connected to rods R-1 and R 2 so that expansion and contraction of the bellows causes axial movement to the right or to the left of the rods R-l and R-2 to operate the arms A-1 and A-2. Valve V, connected to arms A l and A-Z, is also in iluid communication with the sampling outlet. 0 1 so that fluid from the valve plate 10 will ow to the sampling outlet when the valve V is positioned on a selected port.

Housing H-l, containing arms A 1, A 2 and valve V and `a part of rods IR-l, R 2, being suitably designed to withstand high pressure, high temperature radioactive coolant is suitably sealed from container C by the cooperation of bellows B-l, B-2, which container is attached to housing H and encloses the remainder of rods R 1, R 2 and the drums D-l, -D-2. Motors 'S-l, S 2 may or may not be enclosed in container C as desired. Also coolant in housing H flows freely therethrough and any excess ows out by-pass outlet 0 2.

Referring now in more detail to FIG. 2, it can be seen that valve V comprises a frustoconical valve proper 12 fonned on one end of a tubular member 13 having a horizontal portion 14 and a vertical portion 15. The other end of the tubular portion 13 is in communication with a pair of interlocking lluid tight drums 16 and 17 which are so constructed and arranged to permit one of the drums to rotate with respect to the other so that a joint-like operation can be accomplished to place valve hermetically sealed, pressure tight housing with few movproper 12 in fluid communication with a third hollow drum-like member 18. Drum-like member 18 is in iluid communication with drum 17 by hollow tubular member 20. A hollow sleeve member 21 is received in a second sleeve member 22 of cylindrical bore 23 formed in a portion 24 of the housing H. Sealing means such as O-ring seals 24a, prevent leakage between the sleeve 22 and the sleeve 21. Sleeve 21, being axially movable with respect to the sleeve 22, permits axial movement of the drum 18 to the right or to the left. A spring 25 encircling sleeve 21 and located between the drum 18 and one end of the housing portion 24 biases the drum to the left for a reason that will be apparent from the further discussion hereinafter. Drum 18 is in communication with sampling outlet O l by passage 26 which connects with the sampling outlet 0 1 on one end and the two sleeve members 21 and 22 on the other. Thus fluid from valve proper 12 is free to ow through tube 13, drums 16 and 17, rod 20,l drum 18, sleeves 21 and 22 and passage 26 to sampling outlet 0 1, which sgoornsoo;

members form ya non-rigid connection between the valve and outlet. Y

At the juncture of the horizontal andrvertical tubular portions 14 'and 15 andfextendingin a directionop-l posite from the valve proper 12` thereislproyided; apair of universal joints 27 and 28. UniversalV joint 27 is formed by a ball 4Iat integrally formed withV tubular member 13 received in ya concave, substantially spherical, cup 31. formed on one endlo'f a relatively short vertically extending arm 32. At the other end ofk arm 32: there is provided a sleeve-likefmember 3f3iri1which is received a horizontally/f, disposed rod.l 34 vsuspended between two horizontally' extending prongs 35, 35 .forming aV partof a U-shaped member 36-atfthe lett endfof a-rrnfr Y A4.. Arm A-l istormed L,shaped.to provideatsube stantially. horizontally extending leg flandafvertically extending leg 38v whichA is pivoted Vfor ,lever-like: action at the juncture oflthe legs 37 and 38, aboutpinredly attachedltofthe housing,V A linkage 41 connectsfthefoth'er end of leg v38 to rod ,l-1f whereby axial movement. oi the rocl R -1 will cause, the ar'mAAV-lfto VmoveYvertica'llj'f, which in turn will, cause the, valve V-1, to'rnove fver'ti` cally. Inthis, mannerV the selection of aportiuzfanlt, horizontal row oi-v the, valve plate V10, may be `acconti.. plished. Y v l Y In -a, similar manner, ,the funiversal 'joint 28. is ,formed by `a ball, 42 integrally formedwith and :.oi'lne'ctedY t0, the ,valvevV-l received inV 'a-- hollow spheri'al'gcup 413i f ormedin Vone endv offa extending armAl. 4rDhe other end-fof armf44-rlifa's` a hollow sleeve-likey member` 45 formedrthereon, in 'which ilseiyed e,` vertically extending i rod.' 46 suspende'gdfy 'lie-V Uween a p air Y offprongs'fifl, .47A`off a .Y U sh'aped ymember 48 formed on, one endof arm A4.' Arm. A-ybeingl Lr-shaped, Vhas, apair ofhorvi'z'ontally extending `legs 50.A and 51 mounted for pivotedlever-like actionaliout a pin 52`iixedly attached Vto the housing.l Linkage 53""oon'- nects the other end ofleg 51,tothe rodR-Z whereby any axial movementl of the rod R-Z'willV ultimately cause` thek -valvev V-1. to move to the right or, to the leftl so that any'portuon plate 1G in the vertical row'rnlay be selected. f

In this manner,I i.e., by operation of rods` Rl-l" and RfZ, any port in any of 'the vertical'or the horizontall rows vmaybe selected. VSleeve-like member 45"'and rod 46 on arm A-Z and sleeve-like member 33 andr..rod3'4 on arm Af-l permit thefree horizontal fand vertical move` mentV necessary to sweepthe valve Yplate 10as is apparent. Y

lSince each ofthe ports are formed'in horizontal'and verticalV rows, eachV port has, as itwere, certain co-` ordinates representing its position'. Thus, Ian indexing mechanism in which oo-ordinates may be Vduplicated will select a particular port having the selected co-ordinates.'

vIn' this embodiment, drums D-li and D-2 each of are operativelyconnected; respectively, toarms A-.l and A-2 having a plurality of axiallyvextending stopmeans or rods'v of unequal lengths,tas indicated'in theirentirety;

as Y and X, respectively. The number of vertical'ports Y on plate 10 and the number of Stopfmeans X will Vde'- pend upon the number of horizontal vportsjonthe-plate 10. Porexample, if therev are 1`3 rows of rvt'ertic'alports and 23 rows of horizontal ports, drum D1 will have 131V rods of variable Vlengths and drum D42 willhave 23 stops of variable lengths. K by thet'servo motor S-l drivingly connectedther'e'to by shaft means 54 and rotation off'thedrum lD--Z by the servo vmotor S-Z drivingly connected thereto-byvshaft means 5v54 any combination of stop meansl 'and' these io-ordinates may be selectedby the positionl of drums D-1 and D-2. Positioning of rods R1fand R-Zagainst the selected lstopmeans X and Y'will positionthe vvalve proper at the selected Aport on the valve plate 10.3V

In order to allow free rotation of drums D-1and-D-2 without interference by Ithe rods `R-l and R-Z' each rod is 'xedly' connected to bellows-Bel and-l32.v In-more relatively small 'horizontally Rotation ofthe-drum D-1 f particularity, rod R-1 is afxed to one end 56- of expansible bellows 57. Bellows S7 Yis enclosed in a housing 58 into which is communicated air under pressure from a source of supply (not shown) through conduit 60. YV,The Vposition of the bellows is suitably sealedV as at 61 land the housing with respect to the rod Rl'by seals 62.` Air thus introduced intoI the interior of the housing v58 and` being of au higher pressure thanthe coolantfwithin the interior of the bellows causes the bellows to collapse moving the rodV R-l to the left by the differential in pres- Y surethus-formed between ,the interior oftherghousing-.and Y the .interiorl Vof vthe ,belloxgvs ,Simultaneously` air is intr duc d-intothe housing f63 of bellows :BA-2 vfrom, conduit 64 tot con'lpressy aff/similar bellows (only partlyi shown)` afa fixed ltorol -R-L. Sincethe-operation of bellowsBfl and? B-2 are identical,` no further description is y deemednecesi-Y Sary', f f

astshown-.vinthedrawings, freeingdrums D-1 and D-,2 for rotation. and;v at' thesametime causing valve V to: disengagefrom'thepreviously selected port. VWhen the.

a desi-red co-ordinate isreachedl.i.e.,when the selected stopi s D-l and D-Z.

'i thedrums couldgbef-'rotated-,manually and also vvliiletherew andfR-,Z -rrespsctivelnthe sairunder Pressure; ini-housings:

andr R72: to move;y to --the right.: by

tofmate-gwithetheaendso. their respective stop means.

Simultaneously, A-l;V and R-2 aidedby,A the actionv of'4 spring 25-ca1.v1se;.,,thevalvefy V to. engage the port. which;

corresponds to :thence-ordinates@ indexed by ith@ :drums Y Fluid `thus in communication withthe selectedport,-. yrnayg-be,*withdrawn through samplingV out- While therehas: b eenshowny two drums 'rotated v.in an automaticmannerfbyServomotors S.-1 and 1S,2,obviously Air thus introdncedinto:thehousingsiSS- and 63 causes rods R41Y anlRfZfto` each respectively vmove to the/left valverzcould;-begfafxed to Athe --arms A-1 andfA-2;if de sired.:V Tooathe ports; may bevindexed :byrvdrumsiand stop means Vresponsive to other; coordinate: systems aifadesired, Y

,'Whileethisz. inventiomhas: been; describedfinfconnecf Y tionfwithonlyroneembodiment thereofand .various parts withtrefereneefto. aaiparticular; direction it isto -be under-v Vsto'odzihati these: descriptions arefby way of illustration rand notabyfway ofi-.limitation and thef scope'offthisinventionvis rddined'solely bythe-appended claims;

YIzclainrzz-V Y f Y Y Y Y 1.xIn a;nuclearrreatorfhaying-a 'reactorI coolant, La

porting ,platefhav-inga'pluralityfof ports', eachf of which s in: communication with Ya* different placein the cool-` ant/1in 'combinatiomeanj outlet, a valvingzmeansforfcof operating with said porting platetov place said .coolant in iafselectedport in; fluid communication withtasaid-goup;

let;. sai'd-valye,meanshavingfmeans providing aanwen-v rigid .connection with: saidv `outlet to maintain connection;

therewith upon being moved, and means for, indexingrsaid' Vvalvingmeans,to'.anyone ofthe selectedfports, said indexing means comprisinga plurality of pivotal arms eachV havingmountingmeansrestricting each arm tojpivotl movement withinfone of`rnutually perpendicular planes,

means mounting'jsaid valverneans on'each of; saidarms armssimultaneously;saidlvalveA will becausedito change the magnitude of oneV or more ,coordinates relatiyetoY the movement"planesofisaid armsfindirect proportion Yto ingsaidvalv'ing meansto traverse saidfporti'ngplatein port on said porting plate mayflbeselected.:

2. VIn a'nuclearreactorl-havingna'reactorrrcoolant; a

portingfpl-ate having ai plurality of. ports, .eachofiwhichis in communication with a diierent place in the coolant, in combination, an outlet, a valving means for cooperating with said porting plate to place said coolant in a selected port in fluid communication with said outlet, said valve means having means providing a non-rigid connection with said outlet to maintain connection therewith upon being moved, and means for indexing said valving means to any one of the selected ports, said indexing means comprising a plurality of pivot-al arms each having mounting means restricting each arm to pivotal movement within one of mutually perpendicular planes thereof, means mounting said valve means on one extremity of each of said aims such that upon pivotal movement of each arm or of both -arms simultaneously, said valve will be caused to change the magnitude of one or more co-ordinates relative to Ithe movement planes of said arms in direct proportion to the movement of the arms, each arm when pivoted causing said valving means to traverse said port- -ing plate in one of a plurality of mutually perpendicular directions, a plurality of axially movable members, each member being pivotal connected to one of said arms whereby axial movement of each member causes the lrespective arm to pivot, and means for selectively, axially moving said members whereby any port on said porting plate may be selected.

3. In a nuclear reactor having a reactor coolant, a porting plate having a plurality of ports, each of which is in communication with a diierent place in the coolant, in combination, an outlet, a valving means for cooperating with said porting plate to place said coolant in a selected port in uid communication with said outlet, said valve means having means providing a non-rigid connection with said outlet to maintain connection therewith upon being moved and means for indexing said valving means to any one of the selected ports, said indexing means comprising a pair of pivotal arms each having mounting means restricting each arm to pivotal movement within one of mutually perpendicular planes, means mounting said valve means on the free extremities of each of said arms such that upon pivotal movement of each arm or of both arms simultaneously, said valve will be caused to change the magnitude of one or both co-ordinates `rela-tive to the movement planes of said arms in direct proportion to the movement of the arms, each arm when pivoted causing said valving means to traverse said porting plate in one of two perpendicular direactions, a pair of -axially movable members each being pivotal connected to one of said arms whereby axial movement of each member causes the respective arm to pivot, and means for selectively, axially moving said members whereby any port on said porting plate may be selected.

4. In a nuclear reactor having a reactor coolant, a porting plate having a plurality of ports, each of which is in communication with a diierent place in the coolant, in combination, an outlet, a valving means for cooperating with said porting plate to place said coolant in a selected por-t in uid communication with said outlet, said valve means having means providing a non-rigid connection with said outlet to maintain communication therewith upon being moved, and means for indexing said valving means to any one of the selected ports, said indexing means comprising a plurality of pivotal arms each having mounting means restricting each arm to pivotal movement within one of mutually perpendicular planes, means mounting said valving means on each of said arms to provide displacement and change of co-ordinate positioning of said valve means in response to pivotal movement of said arms either separately or simultaneously, each arm when pivoted being adapted .to cause said valving means to traverse said porting plate in one of a plurality of mutually perpendicular directions, a plurality of axially movable members each being pivotal connected to one of said arms whereby axial movement of each member causes the respective arm to pivot, a plurality of rotatable elements each having a plurality of abutment means, and means for selectively rotating said elements whereby a desired abutment means on each element is adapted to limit the axial movement of one of said members and thus position the respective arm in a selected position whereby said valving means is indexed to a selected port.

5. In a nuclear reactor having a reactor cool-ant, a porting plate having a plurality of ports, each of which is in communication with a diiferent place in the coo-lant, in combination, an outlet, a valving means for cooperating with said porting plate to place said coolant in a selected port in fluid communication with said outlet, said valve means having means providing a non-rigid connection with said outlet to maintain connection therewith upon being moved, and means for indexing said valving means to any one of the selected ports, said indexing means comprising a plurality of pivotal arms each having mounting means restricting each arm to pivotal movement within one of mutually perpendicular planes, means mounting said valving means on each of said arms to provide displacement and change of co-ordinate positioning of said valving means in response to pivotal movement of said arms, each arm when pivoted being adapted to cause said valving means to traverse said porting plate in one of a plurality of mutually perpendicular directions, a plurality of -axially movable members each being pivotal connected to one of said arms whereby axial movement of each member causes the respective arm to pivot, a plurality of rotatable elements each having a plurality of -abutment means, means to selectively rotate each element in order to position selected abutment means thereof so as to be engageable by said members, means to axially move said members from engagement with said rotatable elements whereby said elements may be rotated to so position selected abutment means thereof, and means for causing said members to be axially moved into engagement with the selected abutment means whereby said valving means is indexed to a selected po1t.

References Cited in the iile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,756,858 Kasschau July 31, 1956 2,782,158 Wheeler Feb. 19, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 803,166 Germany Mar. 1, 1951 OTHER REFERENCES Nucleonics, vol. 14 (December 1956), pages S20 and S21. 

1. IN A NUCLEAR REACTOR HAVING A REACTOR COOLANT, A PORTING PLATE HAVING A PLURALITY OF PORTS, EACH OF WHICH IS IN COMMUNICATION WITH A DIFFERENT PLACE IN THE COOLANT, IN COMBINATION, AN OUTLET, A VALVING MEANS FOR COOPERATING WITH SAID PORTING PLATE TO PLACE SAID COOLANT IN A SELECTED PORT IN FLUID COMMUNICATION WITH SAID OUTLET, SAID VALVE MEANS HAVING MEANS PROVIDING A NONRIGID CONNECTION WITH SAID OUTLET TO MAINTAIN CONNECTION THEREWITH UPON BEING MOVED, AND MEANS FOR INDEXING SAID VALVING MEANS TO ANY ONE OF THE SELECTED PORTS, SAID INDEXING MEANS COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF PIVOTAL ARMS EACH HAVING MOUNTING MEANS RESTRICTING EACH ARM TO PIVOTAL MOVEMENT WITHIN ONE OF MUTUALLY PERPENDICULAR PLANES, MEANS MOUNTING SAID VALVE MEANS ON EACH OF SAID ARMS SUCH THAT UPON PIVOTAL MOVEMENT OF EACH ARM OR OF BOTH ARMS SIMULTANEOUSLY, SAID VALVE WILL BE CAUSED TO CHANGE THE MAGNITUDE OF ONE OR MORE CO-ORDINATES RELATIVE TO 